High speed multiple tape serial printing mechanism

ABSTRACT

A serial-type printing mechanism and more particularly a multiple tape lister machine normally retractably housed within a unit or console forming part of a document handling system. The printing mechanism comprises a plural number of individual tape printers each containing a continuously rotatable print drum carrying print characters on its periphery and a like number of print hammers, one for each print drum, which are mounted on a common carrier for reciprocal motion in unison across the tapes fed to the printers. Provision is made for supporting a like number of tape supply rolls and tape receiving bins in superposed relation to one another, each tape being guided and fed from the former through an individual one of the printers to an individual one of the bins. In operating condition, the tape lister machine is housed within a compartment of a document sorting unit underneath the sorting pockets thereof, but the machine is reciprocatingly mounted for bodily movement from the compartment to an exposed condition external of the unit for gaining access to the tape supply rolls and receiving bins as well as other parts of the machine.

United States Patent [451 Dec.5, 1972 Wallace [54] HIGH SPEED MULTIPLE TAPE SERIAL PRINTING MECHANISM [72] Inventor: Harry L. Wallace, Garden City,

Mich.

[73] Assignee: Burroughs Corporation, Detroit,

Mich.

[22] Filed: May 3,1971

[21] Appl. No.: 139,385

[52] U.S. Cl. ..l0l/90, 101/93 C, 197/49 Primary Examiner-William B. Penn Attorney-Kenneth L. Miller and Edwin W. Uren [57] ABSTRACT A serial-type printing mechanism and more particularly a multiple tape lister machine normally retractably housed within a unit or console forming part of a document handling system. The printing mechanism comprises a plural number of individual tape printers each containing a continuously rotatable print drum carrying print characters on its periphery and a like number of print hammers, one for each print drum, which are mounted on a common carrier for reciprocal motion in unison across the tapes fed to the printers. Provision is made for supporting a like number of tape supply rolls and tape receiving bins in superposed relation to one another, each tape being guided and fed from the former through an individual one of the printers to an individual one of the bins. In

.operating condition, the tape lister machine is housed within a compartment of a document sorting unit underneath the sorting pockets thereof, but the machine is reciprocatingly mounted for bodily movement from the compartment to an exposed condition external of the unit for gaining access to the tape supply rolls and receiving bins as well as other parts of the machine.

10 Claims, 18 Drawing Figures PATENTEDnEc 5 I972 3. 704. 666

SHEET 1 or 9 VENTOR. HARRY L. WALLACE.

"(V it/ n flz A NOR/VD.

PATENTEU HEB 5 I973 SHEET 2 BF 9 PAW-m 51972 SHEET t BF 9 PATENTED nu: 5 m2 sum 6 0r 9 PATENTEDnEc 519m SHEET 8 BF 9 FIG. I5.

ROCKETS LISTER MULTI TAPE MASTER TA PE RECEIVER ENCODING ){ENDORS|NG KEYBOARD HIGH SPEED MULTIPLE TAPE SERIAL PRINTING MECHANISM CROSS REFERENCE TO A RELATED PATENT I APPLICATION Reference may be made to co-pending divisional application for patent Ser. No. 277,380, filed Aug. 2, 1972 and entitled MULTIPLE TAPEPRINTING AP- PARATUS AND HOUSING FACILITY TI-IERE- l0 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates generally to printing mechanisms and more particularly to a multiple tape lister machine and housing facility therefore.

For prior art, reference may be had to the U. S. patent to Fettig et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,089,641 of common ownership herewith and particularly to FIGS. 60-77 thereof and to related descriptive material which illustrate and describe the structure of a multiple tape printing unit of the same general nature as the present invention and used in a system similar to that disclosed herein. Other patents of common ownership to which reference may be had are the U. S. patents to Kondur U.S. Pat. No. 3,472,352 and Shukla et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,434,581, the former showing a single-print drum and laterally movable hammer for making printing impressions on web recording media and the latter illustrating the use of a worm cam for moving a print head along a platen in a tabulating direction and return.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An important broad object of the invention is to provide an improved high speed multiple tape printing machine.

Another important object of the invention is to provide an improved high speed printing mechanism of economical and durable construction and composed of a plurality of individual tape printers compactly associated together into a unitary assembly.

Another important object of the invention is to provide an improved tape lister machine having provision for storing printed tape sections and for providing ready access thereto.

Another important object of the invention is to provide an improved tape lister machine having provision for mounting all of the impact hammers for concurrent bodily translational motion parallel to the common axis of the print drums of the tape printers.

A further important object of the invention is to provide an improved mounting facility for a multiple tape lister machine which enables it to be operated within an enclosure, such as a console in an assembly of data processing units, yet providing accessibility to the machine for loading and removing record tapes and for maintenance purposes.

With the foregoing objects in mind, this invention provides an improved multiple tape lister machine. It is designed for compact usage such that in operating condition it can be enclosed within a compartment of a larger unit, such as a document sorter, yet is retractable from the compartment for access to the paper tape supply and paper tape retention bins and for any attention the machine may require. This is accomplished by the provision of support members which are telescopingly extensible from the compartment and upon which the machine is guided for movement into and out of the compartment. A feature of the invention is the disposition of the tape supply support and the tape retention bins on the machine so that both are first exposed when the machine is withdrawn from the compartment. However, when in use the machine is inconspicuously housed within the compartment providing an improved exterior for the console with which it is associated.

In further carrying out the objects of the invention, the various operating elements of the multiple tape lister machine are so compactly assembled and interrelated to one another that a substantial savings in operating parts and construction costs are obtained. In this respect, a feature of the invention is the predisposition of the several impact hammers associated individually with the tape printers upon a common support which is controlled for reciprocablemovement parallel to the row of the printers and transverse to the tapes thereof. Thus, in the operation of the machine, all of the hammers move in unison parallel to the row of printers and each opposite its individual print drum as printing impressions are made thereby. Further features of this assembly include a continuously rotatable worm or barrel cam with which the support is retractably engageable and means for effecting such engagement and disengagement by mechanical force applying instrumentality stationed beside the path of travel of the support and capable of exerting its force throughout the displacement of the support.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cooperating assembly of data processing units in one of which a printing mechanism embodying the present invention is employed;

FIG. 2 is a similar-view as that illustrated in FIG. 1 except that a compartment in one of the data processing units has been opened to reveal in retracted exposed condition a multiple tape lister machine and associated supports therefore embodying the invention;

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view, partly in section, through the major portion of the multiple tape lister machine revealed in FIG. 2 and showing the elements making up one of the print stations and the manner of guiding and feeding a paper tape from a tape supply through the print station to a tape receiving bin;

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view of the multiple tape lister machine illustrated in FIG. 3 and showing the balance of the mechanism omitted from the latter;

FIG. 5 is a view of one side of the multiple tape lister machine illustrated in FIG. 2 showing the mechanism of the machine for timing the printing operation;

FIG. 6 is a back view of same multiple tape lister machine;

FIG. 7 is a view of the side of the tape lister machine opposite to that illustrated in FIG. 5 and showing the belt-drive system for rotating various operating shafts of the machine;

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the tape lister machine;

FIG. 9 is a perspective interior view of the multiple tape lister machine showing the tape printers and control features in assembled condition;

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the parts of the machine as seen in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged perspective view of the timing mechanism shown in FIG. 5;

FIGS. l2-l2D inclusive are detailed views of the return mechanism for the hammer support, FIGS. 12A and 12D showing side and plan views thereof respectively and FIGS. 12C and 12D illustrating two operating positions thereof;

' FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the tape receptacle illustrating the division into separate tape retention bins and the provision for hinging the cover thereon;

FIG. 14 is a detailed view taken along line 15l5 of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 15 is a schematic block diagram of the control exercised over the several record members effected by the operation of the cooperating assembly of data processing units such as illustrated in FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION The illustrated embodiment of the invention includes two major units identified generally at and 22 which may be disposed with respect to one another, as shown in FIG. 1, to form an L-shaped configuration. The unit 20 may be characterized as an accounting or computing unit having a keyboard 24 for entering amounts thereinto, a document insert receiver pocket 26 and a master tape printing mechanism 28 for providing a running record of all operations on a tape 29. The operating portions of the computing unit 20 are sup ported on a suitable stand generally indicated at 30 and at a convenient height to the operator.

The second major unit 22 of the system is a document sorter having a plurality of bins or pockets 32 arranged in a row and each communicating by means of a passage 34 with a document conveying path 36 of the sorter. In the juxtaposed position of the two units, the first unit 20 is provided with a document conveying path identified at 38 which at its extreme right end as viewed in FIG. 1 opens into communication with document conveying path 36 of the sorter. At its left end, the path 38 opens into the document receiver 26. Although various types of documents may be operated on by the apparatus illustrated herein, for banking purposes the usual type of document handled by the equipment is a bank check. A stack of such checks would be introduced into the receiver 26 and successively conveyed out of that chamber to a position immediately in front of the keyboard where it is held stationary for brief review by the operator and for entering any printing matter thereon by the operator. Following this the document is then conveyed down the balance of path 38 and along path 36 to one of the pockets 32. The sorting may be accomplished manually or automatically, i.e., a set of keys may be actuated by the operator for identifying the sorter pockets or data may be machine read from the document and utilized to control the selection of the sorter pocket.

It is evident from FIG. 1 that the document conveyor 36 and the document receiving pockets 32 of the sorter unit are supported at a height so as to cooperate with the document conveying path 38 of the computing unit. Advantage is taken of this elevatedcondition of the sorter to provide a compartment therebelow generally indicated at 40 which, as shown in FIG. 2, will normally contain a printing assembly generally indicated-at 42. Actually, as hereinafter described, the printing assembly is composed of a plurality of individual printers, each capable of printing on an elongated record medium which in this instance takes the form of a paper tape. The printing assembly 42 is mounted upon a platfonn 44 which is bodily movable along a horizontal plane into and out of the compartment 40 and below the row of sorter pockets 32. The printing assembly is additionally supported for this movement by means of two pairs of overhead telescopingly extensible guide members 46-46 which may be similar to those conventionally used for supporting file drawers for movement into and out of file cabinets. For suspending the printer assembly from these guides, similarly shaped side plates 4848 are provided, the upper edges of which are bolted or otherwise secured to the outermost of the two telescoping members of each guide assembly 46. A door 50 hinged to the platform 44 will serve to protectively enclose the printer within the compartment 40. In normal operation the printer assembly is concealed from view underneath the sorter pockets and will operate in this condition to printinformation on one or more of the tapes which is fed to it from the computer 20. However, by opening the door 50 and retracting the printing assembly 42 on the guides '46- 46 the record tapes used by the individual printers become available for removal and replenishment as well as permitting access to the equipment for maintenance attention.

If greater sorting capabilities are desired, one or more similar sorting units 22 with enclosed printing assemblies 42 may be hooked up in side by side relationship with their document conveying paths in line with one another. .By proper junction of these units the document conveyer path of one can be opened into communication with a like path of the adjacent unit so that documents can be conveyed from the computing unit 20 to the proper pocket of one of the sorter units as determined by the operator or the machine.

' With further reference to FIG. 2, the foreground portion of the printing assembly 42 is most conveniently accessible when the printing assembly is withdrawn from the compartment 40 and positioned as indicated in FIG. 2. Located in this accessible position are the individual rolls of paper tape indicated at 52 which are mounted on.a common shaft 54 supported by side plates 56-56. Tape is progressively removed from each roll as printing thereon occurs and is conveyed, as later described in more detail herein, to a trough-like receptacle 58 shaped interiorly with individual bins for receiving and rolling up used portions of the tape. The receptacle is provided with a hinged cover member 59 which normally overlies and closes these separate bins of the receptacle but is capable of being swung to the opened dotted position shown in FIG. 2 to expose the contents of these bins. Details of this feature of the apparatus will be described more particularly hereinafter.

With reference to FIG. 3, the partial side view of the printer assembly 42 illustrates the respective positions of the tape supply rolls 52, as rotatably mounted on shaft 54, with respect to the trough-like receptacle 58 thereabove'which is shaped to receive the tapes and curl the same into the spiral formation partially shown in FIG. 3. In the operation of the printer, each paper tape 60 unwinds from its respective roll 52 and is advanced along a path identified at 62 through a converging channel 64 extending at an upward inclination toward a high speed rotatable print drum 66 bearing circularly spaced apart rows of print characters extending axially along its surface. The tape leaves the outlet end of the channel along side of the print drum and travels in a vertical direction thereaboveto an intermittent tape advancing device generally indicated at 68 where it is turned leftwardly and travels in anapproximately horizontal plane to the tape print-out receptacle or receiver 58. The latter is shaped to take advantage of the inherent tendency of each tape to roll up upon itself so as to guide the tape into the curled spiral formation 70 previously referred to. For this purpose, the inlet to the receptacle 58 is located on the upper side of the receptacle and the latter has a radius of curvature generally corresponding to the original size of each paper tape roll. Thus, these features assist in curling the free end of the paper tape upon itself as it is advanced into its respective bin.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, five rolls of paper tape are journaled on the shaft 54 in side by side relationship as shown in FIG. 2 and all five such tapes are conveyed in the manner described so as to traverse one side of a row of print drums 66 in an upward direction to the tape advancing device 68 and thence to a particular bin in the receptacle 58. Associated with each tape is a printing mechanism including the print drum 66 and an associated print hammer to be described later herein and a tape advancing device generally indicated at 68.

The paper tape advancing devices 68 illustrated herein are each like that described in the copending application of the patentee entitled INTERMI'ITENT WEB ADVANCING DEVICE, Ser. No. 101,985 filed Dec. 28, 1970, now US. Pat. No. 3,677,452, and reference may be made thereto for details of its construction. Suffice to say, each such device includes a ratchet wheel 72 which is stepped around the axis of the shaft 74 to which it is fixed in the direction of the arrow by means of a pawl 76. The pawl is driven in the direction to advance the ratchet wheel by means of a coiled spring 78 and is retracted against the tension of a spring by means of a solenoid 80. Fixed to the shaft are a pair of similarly shaped pinch rollers 82-82, one of which is shown in FIG. 3. An angularly adjustable head 84 superimposes the pair of pinch rollers and carries a smaller sized pair of pressure rollers 86 and 88 associated with each pinch roller 82 and disposed in the plane thereof for pressure engagement therewith when the head is in one of two adjustable positions.

The paper tape path 62 extends between the pinch tion it lifts the pressure rollers from engagement with the pinch rollers thereby enabling the leading end of a new tape to be threaded therebetween. In addition to the pawl 76 for advancing the ratchet wheel a second shorter stationary pawl 92 prevents return motion of the ratchet wheel following each stepped advancement thereof. Each pawl is composed of slightly elastic material which enables it to yieldingly flex out of engagement with the teeth of the ratchet wheel when relative movement occurs therebetween. From this description it is apparent that upon energization of the solenoid it will retract the pawl 76 and in doing so deflect it from engagement with one tooth of the ratchet wheel and upon de-energization of the solenoid the coil spring 78 will advance the pawl so as to move it against the radial faceof the next tooth and rotate the ratchet wheel and the pinch rollers 82-82 the angular extent of one tooth. This will step the paper tape one line of type. V

The five continuously rotatable print drums 66 of the illustrated embodiment of the invention'are of like size and bear a similar arrangement of raised type characters. The print drums are fixedly mounted on a common rotatable shaft 94 extending from one side to the other side of the printer and journaled in the side plates 48-48. Each drum, as previously mentioned, carries on its periphery circular rows of type characters 95 capable of making an intelligible marking on the tape associated therewith. To produce the printing impression, there is associated with each print drum a hammer 96 supported on a pair of similar leaf-spring members 98-98 for reciprocal movement toward and away from its print drum. Each hammer is located in proximity to the periphery of its drum so that when advancing theretoward it is capable of impacting the. immediate area of the paper tape against a raised type character on the drum. As previously described, the path 62 of the paper tape for each print drum extends between the latter and the hammer. Normally, the hammer is yieldingly biased slightly away from the print drum by the two spring members 98-98, but is capable of being sharply advanced against the paper tape to make each printing impression.

During the operation of the printing mechanism 42, the print hammers 96 are also moved parallel to the common axis of the print drums in order to type a line of print on the individual paper tapes with which the hammers and drums are associated. For this purpose, as later described herein in detail, the hammer operating assemblies are mounted on a common carrier which is shiftable at relatively high speeds parallel to the print drum shaft 94. The print drum shaft is driven from an electric motor generally indicated at 100 and mounted on the underside of the platform 44 in the manner shown in FIG. 8. The driving connection between the motor and shaft is performed by an internally toothed endless driving belt 102 coupled to suitable gears associated with the motor and print drum shaft.

For impacting each hammer 96 against the paper tape and thus force the latter against a selected type character on the rapidly rotating print drum the hammer is included in an electromagnetic sub-assembly comprising a force applying member 104 form- I ing the armature of a solenoid 106. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the force applying member 104 is pivoted at its lower end on a pair of cross flexures 108 and is elongated vertically so that its intermediate portion passes closely by the solenoid and its upper free end is disposed to 'strike the rear end of the hammer 96. It will be appreciated that upon energization of solenoid 106 the lever 104 will be drawn thereto and its upper end will impact against the rear end of the hammer causing it to strike against the paper tape and thus cause a type character on the drums moving surface to be impressed thereon. To render this impression visible, an inking ribbon, shown at 109 in several Figures,'extends on the level with the print drum shaft 94 crosswise to the paper tapes and between the same and the print drums. As will -be more fully explained hereinafter, each print hammer 96 and its driving mechanism, the armature 104 and the solenoid 106, are all mounted on a common carrier or platform which is movable parallel to the axis of the print drum 66 and for a distance at least approximating the width or axial dimension of each print drum.

In order to controlthe operation of the printing hammers 96 so that they will be urged against the paper tapes and in turn urge the latter against selected characters on the peripheries of the continuously rotating print drum, acontrol system such as illustrated generally at 110 in FIG. may be used. The control system 110 of the illustrated embodiment of the invention is like that disclosed in the US. Pat. to Mack et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,667,383 of common ownership herewith Such a control system 110 may be mounted on one side of the printer and external to one of the side plates 48 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5 and in enlarged and greater detail in FIG. 11. The control mechanism includes a pair of timing discs 116 and 118, the former being fixed to one end of the print drum shaft 94 for joint rotation therewith and the latter being secured to one end of a separate shaft 120 extending 90 to the shaft 94. The first timing disc 116 has a series of magnetic flux producing points, such as teeth 122, on its periphery. These flux producing points cor.- respond to the location of the various circularly spaced apart rows of type elements, such as shown at 95, on the peripheries of the several print drums 66. Because there are two sets of type elements on the peripheries of these drums, which are separated from one another by blank or dwell areas, there are two similarly separated sets of corresponding teeth 122 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 11. A beveled gear 124 on the end of the drum shaft 94 engages an adjacent beveled gear 126 on shaft 120 to drive the timing disc 118 in timed relationbeginning of each line of print. The double-ended transducer responds to the points of the two timing discs to provide the electrical waveforms of opposite sense for controlling operations of the printerin this respect as described in the aforesaid patent to Mack et al.

As earlier mentioned herein, the five print hammer assemblies of the illustrated embodiment of the invention are mounted upon a common carrier capable of shiftable movement parallel to the print drum shaft 94 so that each hammer 96 may traverse its respective rotating print drum 66 along a line of print. For this ship to the rotation of the drum shaft. Actually, in the illustrated timing system, a gear reduction of two to one occurs between the two beveled gears causing the timing disc 1 18 to rotate at half the speed of the drum shaft and timing disc 116. A double-ended magnetic transducer 128 is positioned between the two timing discs 116 and 118. One end of this transducer responds to the flux producing points 122 of the disc 116 and the opposite end of the transducer responds to a single flux producing point or stud 130 carried by the timing disc 118. Disc 116 is indicative of the angular position of the print drums and its points 122 particularly correspond to the different axially extending rows of type on the drums. The second disc 118 serves to signal the hammer assembly carrier to start its movement at the purpose, there is illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, and more clearly in the latter, a movable carrier or platform generally indicated at which may be cast of lightweight material, such as plastic. So castit is designed to vertically mount the five print hammer assemblies in a line opposite to their respective print drums. With reference to FIGS. 3, 4 and 10, each hammer assembly includes a plate-like frame 142 shaped with an upwardly opening U-shaped portion, the legs 144-145 of which serve as base supports for the spring members 9898 and the hammer 96 carried on the upper ends thereof.

As illustrated in the exploded view of FIG. 10, the lower portion of frame 142 of each hammer assembly is shaped for slidable fit in a holder 146 of hardened plastic material having a side and upwardly opening slot 148 for this purpose and exteriorly shaped with a cylindrical portion 150 which depends therebelow. Each holder 146 is received in an upwardly opening receptacle 152 of the carrier 140 having flat and circular inner wall surfaces corresponding to the exterior portions of each holder, including a depending sleeve 153 for receiving part 150 of the holder. Referring to FIG. 10, the leftmost holder 146 is shown exposed while the remaining holders are shown as received in their respective cavities 152 of the carrier with their respective slots 148 in line to receivethe bottom portions of theframe 142 of the hammer assemblies supported thereby. The separate receptacles 152 of the carrier are interconnected by castweb members 154 to form an integrally connected reticulated structure 140 of the character illustrated in FIG. 10.

The centermost part of the carrier 140 which receives and supports the middle or'third hammer assembly is shaped differently from the remaining parts of the carrier for special purposes. For one thing, that portion of the middle receptacle 152 in which the cylindrical part of its respective holder 146 is seated has its cylindrical shape extended below the others as indicated at 156 for seating in a carrier return mechanism for guiding and controlling the reciprocal motion of the carrier 140 parallel to the print drum shaft. The center part of the carrier is also provided with a lateral extension 158 terminating in a hollow open ended cylinder 160 for receiving a plunger 162 which is mounted therein for reciprocating movement in a vertical direction and whose function will be more particularly described hereinafter. The central part of the carrier is also provided with a lateral extension, 164 on the side thereof opposite to the cylinder 160 for purposes to be likewise described hereinafter. Lastly, the extreme end sections of the carrier are shaped with similar-lateral extensions 166-466 which are shaped at their ex- In the assemblied condition of the parts illustrated in A the exploded view of FIG. 10, such as shown in FIG. 9, the reciprocating plunger 162 is received within the cylinder portion 160 of the carrier, and the lower end of the plunger is provided with a reduced protrusion 167 shaped for retractable engagement in the helical groove 168 of a worm cam 170. The latter is mounted on a cross-shaft 172 and arranged tobe rotated continuously during operation of the printing mechanism. Within the hollow cylinder 160 of the carrier is a lining or bushing 174 in which plunger 162 is slidably fitted for reciprocatingmovement. Encircling the shank portion, of the plunger 162 is a coiled spring 176, one end of which is seated on the reduced lower end of the bushing 174 as illustrated in FIG. 4 and the other end of which abuts against the larger head portion 178 of the plunger. The upper exposed end of the head 178 is provided with aconcave recess 180 (FIG; which provides a seat for a ball or roller bearing member 182. Enclosing the upper end of the plunger 162 and threaded thereto is a nut 184 having a central aperture 186 through which the upper portion of the ball 182 protrudes as shown in FIG. 4. In assembled condition of the plunger assembly within the cylinder 160 of the carrier it is apparent that any force exerted on the exposed portion of the ball 182 will be transmitted to the plunger 162, and if this force is sufficient to overcome the coiled spring 176 it will depress the plunger against the tension of the spring and into engagement with the groove of the worm cam 170 as shown in FIG. 4. In the absence of such force, the spring will raise the plunger and the ball so as to lift the protruding end 168 of the plunger out of engagement with the helical groove of the worm cam 170 in the manner illustrated in FIG. 3.

The plunger is capable of being depressed to enter into engagement with the worm cam bymeans of an elongated member 188 which has its long dimension extending parallel to the print drum shaft 94 and is capable of up and down movement immediately over the plunger 162. Because of its shape and the rocking motion imparted to it to perform this up and down movement, the member 188 may be characterized as paddle-shaped. The paddle 188 is connected to a rod 190 for rockable movement about its axis. For this purpose the paddle is provided with abell crank 194 fulcrumed on the rod and having one arm 193 connected to the paddle. The other arm 194 is loosely secured by a pin and slot connection to the outer exposed end of the armature 196 carried within a solenoid 198. The solenoid is mounted as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 adjacent the worm cam and on the side thereof opposite to the carrier 140. The relationship of the parts of the paddle is such that upon energization of the solenoid the bell crank will swing the paddle downwardly to engage the roller bearing 182 of the plunger assembly and force the paddle actuated plunger extremity 167 into engagement with the groove of the worm cam. Upon de-energization of the solenoid, the armature 196 moves outwardly rocking the paddle in an upward direction to free the plunger 162 for movement by the spring 176 thereby disengaging the plunger from the worm cam. In addition to being depressed, the spherical ball 182 is movable horizontally in unison with the carrier 140,

and during energization of the solenoid it rolls along the underside of the paddle 188 while being forced downwardly thereby. The result is that a substantially frictionless contact is maintained between the paddle and plunger assembly as the latter travels with the carrier. However, at any point in the travel of the carrier and the hammer assemblies carried thereby, solenoid 198 can be de-energized to release the carrier from the worm cam. The carrier will then be returned to its starting position by the following described instrumentality.

The carrier 146 upon which the print hammer assemblies are mounted is guided in its reciprocal motion by rail members upon which the previously described lateral extensions 164 and 166-166 ride. Continuously rotating in one direction during the operation of the printer, the worm cam 170 is only able to drive the carrier and the hammer assemblies mounted thereon in one direction when the carrier is coupled to the worm cam by the energization of the solenoid 198. If the solenoid is not de-energized before the completion of the travel of the plunger in the groove 168 of the worm cam, it will be first reduced in speed by a reduction in pitch of the cam and then forced thereout by the provision of an inclined ramp 200 in the groove, as best shown in the exploded view of FIG. 10. Provision is made for the automatic return of the carrier to its starting position for commencing the typing of a new line of characters. This is accomplished by a carrier return mechanism generally indicated at 202 which, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, is located immediately below the carrier 140 in general alignment with the depending cylindrical extension 156 of the central receptacle 152 of the carrier. Special features of the carrier return mechanism include a spring system which applies substantially constant pressure on the carrier urging the carrier back toward its starting position and regardless of whatever position the carrier may assume in its travel. A suitable device for this purpose is the carrier return device disclosed in the copending patent application of the patentee, Ser. No. 86,120 filed Nov. 2, 1970 and entitled CARRIER RETURN MECHANISM. Such a mechanism is that illustrated in several of the Figures herein and generally identified by the aforesaid reference character 202.

With reference to FIG. 10 and FIGS. 12A to 12D, the carrier return mechanism 202 is composed of two superimposed substantially similar rectangularly shaped sections which together form a frame 204 having an upwardly opening slot 206 forming a guideway extending in the direction of the travel of the carrier. Contained within the slot 206 are two confronting sector elements or couplers 208 and 210, each having a radius of curvature similar to that of the depending cylindrical part 156 of the carrier and which at the starting position of the carrier are shaped to embrace the same as is evident by the projection of the dotted line coinciding with the axis assumed by these two sectors in FIG. 10. FIGS. 12C and 12D illustrate two different views of the carrier part 156 between the two sectors 208 and 210, starting position of the carrier's movement being shown in FIG. 12C. Each sector element forms part of a bridging member slidable in the slot 206 in the direction of its elongation and thus parallel to the path of travel of the carrier.

The sector 208 forms part of the bridging member 212 normally slidably on a pair of'rods 214-214 as shown in FIG. 12D but capable of being resistingly moved against the opposition of a pair of similarly formed coiled springs 216-216 encircling the rods. The opposing sector 210 is carried on a bridging member 218 which as shown by a comparison of FIGS. 12C and 12D is capable of a greater movement in the slot 206 and, in this instance, at least equal to the full travel of the carrier. The sector 210 is yieldingly urged toward its companion sector 208 by a pair of similarly shaped coiled spring members 220-220 which as shown by a comparison of FIGS. 12C and 12D are deflectible laterally to a considerable degree whenthe sectors are separated from one another. Each coiled spring 220 has one end pivotally connected to the coupler or bridging member 218 and the other end pivotally connected to a stationary part of the frame 204. The two springs 220-220 urge the bridging member carrying the sector 210 toward and against a stop 222 formed by an elevation in the guiding slot 206 which serves to determine the starting position of the carrier 140.

The sector 216 of the carrier return mechanism is driven from its starting position shown in FIG. 12C to that shown in 12D by the forced travel of the carrier 140 caused by the engagement of the plunger 162 with the worm or barrel cam 170. This motion is opposed by the biasing of the pair of coiled spring members 220- 220. The two spring members 220-220 have a free length greater than the maximum distance betweenthe respective coupling points and stationary supports so that displacement of the carrier coupling sector 210 along the guiding path 206 arcuately flexes both spring members to the degree shown in FIG. 12D. A coiled spring arcuately flexed in this manner has the advantageous property of resisting the displacement of the carrier sector or coupler 210 and of course the car-' rier 140 with a nearly constant force, thereby rendering the displacement ofthe carrier by any suitable driving means, such as the worm cam, substantially constant. When the carrier is released from engagement with the worm cam, the two arcuately flexed coiled springs 220-220 urge the sector coupler 210 and the carrier 140 back toward the opposing coupler 208 with a substantially constant pressure. When the depending part 156 of the carrier abuts the sector 208, the shock transmitted thereby is absorbed by compression of the coiled springs 216-216, after which the two springs urge the carrier projection 156 back into abutment with the sector coupler 210 which has been stopped by the elevation 222 in the guideway at its starting point.

The print drum carrying shaft 94 extends through the side plate 48 on the side of the printing apparatus opposite to the timing mechanism 110 in the manner shown in FIG. 7 where it is coupled by a timing belt 22 6 to a gear 228 on shaft 172 for rotating the worm cam 170. A separate drive belt 230 couples the last mentioned shaft 172 to a pulley 232 which drives a shaft 234 which enters the side plate for connection to the ribbon feed mechanism of the apparatus which is generally indicated at 236 in FIG. 8. Gears 238 and 240 are idlers for the two-belt system. Reduction gearing including pairs of bevel gears 242 and 244 serve as operating connections between the shaft 234 and a ribbon feed drive shaft 246. The two spools or reels upon which the ribbon is carried are disclosed at 248 and 250 in FIG. 6, and the print ribbon 109 previously referred to is shown in partially helically wound condition on these respective spools. The two spools 248 and 250 are coupled by separate shafts to gears 252 and 254 shown in FIG. 8 which in turn are separately engageable with worm gears 256 and 258 carried on the opposite end sections of the ribbon feed shaft 246. The ribbon feed mechanism includes a provision for automatically reversing the feed of the print ribbon. This is accomplished by longitudinally translating the shaft 246 between two positions, in one position worm 256 is coupled to spool 248 to rotate it as a take-up reel and in the other position worm 258 similarly drives the other spool 250 in a ribbon take-up direction. A suitable device for accomplishing this operationis disclosed in the copending patent application Ser. No. 9,153 of common ownership, filed Feb. 6, 1970 in the name of Donald L. Bumgardner entitled PRINT RIBBON DRIVE AND REVERSING DEVICE, now US. Pat. No. 3,633,841.

Also shown in FIG. 8 is the underside of the carrier return mechanism generally indicated at 202 and the supporting plate 224 to which it is secured. The shaft 172 which carries and drives the worm cam 170 is shown as extending across the apparatus and has its endsjournaled in depending portions of the side plates 48-48. The slot or track 206 along which the depending sleeve projection 156 of the carrier is moved is also shown in FIG. 8. Certain of the remaining'shorter depend sleeves 153 in which the cylindrical base portions of the hammer assemblies are received are also shown in this Figure.

An adjustment is provided for controlling the operation of each print hammer assembly and for the description thereof reference may be had to FIGS. 3

and 4. In this instance, the hammer actuator. 104 has an adjustable back-up for controlling its power stroke and accordingly the velocity of the hammer 96. As illustrated in these two Figures, the plate-like frame 142 which is shaped with the hammer supporting legs 144 and 145 is also provided with a third vertical-leg or extension 260. The third leg has an internally threaded aperture in the upper end thereof in which an externally threaded member or screw 262 is received and threadedly engaged therewith. The ends of the screw member 262 project beyond the opposite side edges of the extension and one end is knurled to facilitate turning and the other end nearest to the actuator 104 is enlarged to provide an abutment 264 against which the actuator in the unenergized condition of the solenoid 106 will rest as shown in FIG. 3. It is apparent that by adjustment of this threaded member 262 the extent of stroke or swing of the actuator 104 may be varied and thus vary the velocity of the hammer 96.

Features of the invention relate to provisions for adjusting each hammer assembly for modifying the extent of the free flight of each print hammer and for slightly changing the direction of such motion. To these ends, adjustable elements are incorporated in each hammer assembly for providing both a straight line sembly holder 146 is provided with a passage 266 of circular crossrsection which extends axially therethrough from one end to the other end thereof and opens at its upper end into the base of the slot 148 of its respective holder. FIG. 4 shows the mounting of the centermost of the five hammer assemblies of the presently described embodiment of the invention. The central holder has a longer cylindrical section 150 than the similar sections of the remaining holders in'order to extend further into the longer sleeve 156 of the carrier 140 which couples the carrier to its return mechanism 202. Extending through the passage 266 is an elongated screw 268 having its head 270 on the lower end thereof brought into engagement with the end of the cylindrical section 150 through the medium of a washer 272. The upper end of the screw is threadedly received in the base of the frame 142 of its hammer assembly and when tightened it will firmly secure the frame in the slot of its holder 146. As shown in FIG. 4, the diameter of the passage 266 is considerably oversized that of the threaded shank of the screw 268. When the screw is loosened, the plate 142 of the hammer assembly, together with its screw 268 and washer 272, can be slightly bodily moved along the slot in a straight line direction either toward or away from the print drum 66 associated with the hammer assembly.

For providing positioned adjustment of each hammer assembly along this straight line path of movement toward and away from its respective print drum, the frame 142 thereof is provided with a depending portion or lug 274 which is generally in line with the previously described back-up extension 260 and which overlaps the holder 146 in which the frame is received. Extending through the lug 274 is an adjusting member 276 which has a non-threaded portion rotatably journaled in the lug and carries a threaded shank portion 278 which is threadedly engaged in a hole 280 in the holder 146. The member 276 has a head on the outer end thereof shaped to facilitate turning by a tool. A disc 282 is fixed to the threaded shank portion 278 immediately adjacent to the side of the lug 274 which cooperates with the head to lock the adjusting member against axial movement but permitting rotation thereof. When the clamping action of the elongated screw 268 is lessened, it will be apparent that upon rotation of the adjusting member 276 that its threaded shank portion will either advance into or retreat from the hole 280 with the result that the whole hammer assembly mounted on the holder 146 may be progressively bodily moved in the slot 148 either toward or away from its print drum depending upon the direction of rotation of the screw member. This will adjust the distance of the free flight" of its hammer 96 with respect to the drum. Following this adjustment, the screw 268 is tightened to firmly clamp the hammer assembly in adjusted position. Such positioned adjustment of a hammer assembly in its respective holder will vary or change the travel time of the hammer in flight so that at the end of its flight it will squarely strike the selected character on the rapidly moving periphery of the print drum.

To provide the hammer angularity adjustment feature, each sleeve 153 or 156 of the hammer assembly carrier 140 is provided with an aperture 284 through the side thereof below its respective receptacle 152 which as shown in FIG. 14 is elongated in the direction circularly of the sleeve. Extending through this slot-like opening is a threaded member 286 which is threadedly engaged in the cylindrical portion of the holder as shown in FIG. 4. Between the head of the threaded member 286 and the external surface of the sleeve 156 is an arcuately bent washer 288 having a radius of curvature conforming to the outer surface of the sleeve. As shown in FIG. 14, this arcuate members dimensions are greater than that of the aperture 284 so as to abut the external surface of the sleeve in any position that the screw member may be moved laterally in the slot. It is apparent that threaded advancement of the screw member 286 will cause its head to abut the arcuate washer 288 and firmly clamp the cylindrical section 150 of the holder 146 to the sleeve 156. Contrarily, when the screw member is loosened this clamping pressure is relieved and the holder 146 together with the hammer assembly maybe slightly swiveled on the axis of the sleeve to the extent of the longer dimension of the aperture 284. This swiveling action will swing the hammer 96 in the plane of the print line and so that it may be aimed in different directions in this plane. Upon tightening the screw 286, the washer 288 will cooperate with the sleeve 150 to clamp the hammer assembly in any adjusted position within the limit of the long dimension of the aperture 284. This swiveling adjustment of the hammer assembly will align its hammer 96 with respect to the associated print drum so that a proper impact with the columns of characters on the drum. In other words, this adjusting feature supplements the previously described adjustment of the free flight of the hammer so that the hammer squarely impacts the selected character on the drum.

As previously mentioned herein, the hammer assembly carrier is provided with a centered extension 164 on one side thereof and a pair of extensions 166-166 at the extremity of the other carrier on the other side thereof. These three extensions form a threepoint support of the carrier for its reciprocating movement in the machine. As shown in FIG. 9, each of the pair of extensions 166 166 of the carrier overhangs a rail member 290 having a V-shaped groove 292 in which the extremity of the extension. is slidably received for travel therealong. A screw, such as shown at 294 in FIG. 10, may be employed to secure a riding member or shoe not shown) for travel in this groove.

The extension 164 centered on the opposite side of the carrier 140 carries an adjustable fitting for sliding movement on a horizontally extending bar 296, as best shown in FIG. 4. The bar is secured to a frame member 298 of the machine and has a longitudinal extent slightly greater than the extent of travel of the carrier 140. The extremity of the extension 164 terminates at vertical flange 300 of rectangular shape which is cast as an integral part of the carrier. The outside face of this flange is shaped with a wide shallow groove for receiving a cross-shaped metal plate 302 so that the plate may have a limited vertical adjustment in the groove. The bottom end of the plate is outwardly turned as at 304 to underlie the bar 296 and preferably with just a slight clearance as will be mentioned in more detail hereinafter. Fixed to the outer face of the plate 302 is a riding member or shoe 306 of rectangular configuration which is secured by a screw 308 to the lower portion of the flange 300. It will be noted in FIG. 4 that the shank of the screw 308 as it passes through the hole in the plate 302 is of lesser diameter than the hole, thus enabling the plate to have a slight vertical movement in the shallow groove of the flange 300. A nut 309, which is preferably recessed in the flange to prevent turning, is secured to the end of the screw and serves to position the shoe firmly to the flange.

To effect the vertical adjustment of the cross plate 302, there is provided at the upper end of the flange 300 a second screw 310 carrying a nut 313 on its threaded extremity for obtaining clamping engagement with the flange 300. However, the shank of the screw as it passesthrough the plate 302 is provided with a circular shoulder 314 eccentric to the axis of the screw which lies in a rectangularly shaped opening 316 in the plate under the head of the screw and is capable when rotated of engaging either the upper or lower edge of the opening. It is apparent that with this provision, the screw can be rotated when the nut is loosened to bring its eccentric shoulder 314 into engagement with either the upper or lower side edge of the opening and act as a cam to move the plate 302 either in an upward or downward direction depending upon which edge of the hole is engaged by the shoulder. While the shoe 306 is slidably bearing on the upper surface of the bar 296, the rotatable adjustment of the eccentric screw 310 will raise or lower the plate 302 relative to the shoe and vary the height of the out-turned lower end 304 of the plate. Preferably, the plate 302 should be adjusted so that its out-turned end barely clears the lower side of the bar while the shoe 306 rides on the upper side thereof. When so adjusted in this manner, the carrier 140 is free to move rapidly and smoothly back and forth without a jolting or bouncing motion or the jiggling of the parts mounted thereon.

As earlier described herein, the print-out portions'of the individual tapes 60 are fed to a receiver above the tape supply rolls 52 cornposed of the trough-like receptacle 58 and its hinged cover 59. Details of the construction of the tape print-out receiver are disclosed in FIG. 13. Reference thereto will show that the recepta- In the illustrated embodiment of the invention each bin or compartment of the tape receiver is capable of holding a maximum of 50 inches of a rolled up printout portion of its tape 60. Suitable openings in the cover member 59 of the tape receiver may be provided, such as illustrated at 334 and 336, to expose printed portions of the tape prior to entry into its respective compartment. The tape entering edge of the flange 324 of the receptacle 58 may be provided with tape peel-off implements 338 each of which as shown in FIG. 3 extends to its respective tape advance device 68 and. is provided with a pair of tangsfor straddling the .ratchet wheel 72 to assist in peeling the tape off of the pinch rollers 82. 1

As shown in FIG. 8, the printing apparatus includes a switch mechanism generally indicated at 340 which is mounted adjacent the path of travel of the hammer ascle 58 is divided into a plurality of equal-size compartments formed by dividing walls 320, the compartments being arranged in a row with each one of the compartments respectively corresponding to'and disposed in line with its respective print drum 66 and tape advancing device 68. The cover 59 is hinged by pins,.one of which is shown at 322 in FIG. 13, to the opposite extreme walls of the receptacle 58, and when secured in assembled position, it is capable of being swung from a closed position shown in full line to an open position shown in dotted line, as shown in FIG. 2. The receptacle 58 and the cover member 59 are provided with mutually extending flange portions 324 and 326 respectively which in closed position form a wide but shallow channel 328 best shown in FIG. 3, through which the print-out portions of the tapes are advanced to the compartments. Dividers 330 may be provided on one of these flanges separating the tape travel paths one from the other and serving to guide the tapes to the proper compartment in the receiver. Suitable brackets 332332 are provided on the extreme sides of the flanges 324 of the receptacle 58 for securement to appropriate framework of the printing assembly, such as the side walls 48-48 thereof.

sembly carrier 1 40 and cooperates with the cross plate 302 thereof to signify when the carrier is in its home or starting position and ready to move in the direction to print a new line of characters on one of the tapes 60. The switch mechanism includes a small supporting plate 342 on the underside of which, as viewed in FIG. 8, is an arm 344 pivoted at one end and carrying a magnet on the other free end. The arm is limited to a small arc of movement but sufficient to carry the magnet into closer proximity to a reed switch 346 and return. On the top side of the supporting plate 342 is a bell crank type of lever 348 which by means of a connection through an aperture in the plate can swing the arm 344 and actuate the reed switch. One arm 350 of the lever is exposed in FIG. 8 and this arm together with an adjacent part of the bell crank lever 348 is illustrated in FIG. 10. When the carrier 140 moves from home position the in-tumed end of the horizontal section of the cross plate 302 will first abut and then rock the arm 350 of the bell crank lever and as the balance of the cross plate section sweeps by it will hold the bell crank in its new position. By means of the bell 'cranks operating connection with the arm 344 the latter will bring its magnet into closer proximity to the reed switch so as to hold the latter in one switch condition until the carrier returns to home position. In the home position of the carrier 140, however, the arm 344 is yieldingly held in the position shown in FIG. 8 where its magnet is ineffective to influence the reed switch and the latter assumes the other switch condition. Upon commencing to move from the home position, the plate 302 again engages the arm 350 swinging the lever 348 and the arm 344 into juxtaposition to the reed switch and activating the same to another switch condition. The changes in the condition of the reed switch will be signaled by the passage or non-passage of current therethrough.

CONCLUSION the module of the multiple tape listers represented by the general reference character 42 is mounted on tracks below the sort-pockets 32 of the document sorter unit 22 and is normally concealed from view by the hinged door 50 which is designed to esthetically blend with the adjacent styling of the units. When the door is open, the tape lister module 42 can easily be moved out of and back into the sorter unit'on the telescoping tracks, and it must be pulled out in order to remove the print-out portions of I the tapes and to replenish the tape rolls and to change the print transfer ribbon. Inthe illustrated embodiment of the invention, each tape printer has a 20-position printing drum with 1/ lO-inch type centers in order to print on its detail tape a sequential record of each transaction with respect to its selected distribution register in the computer unit. The equipment illustrated herein is designed to process documents, such as bank checks, at a maximum rate of 60 a minute for amount indexing and encoding. Individual selector keys on the keyboard 24 are employed for selecting the respective detail tape, register and sort-pocket upon depression of a motor bar key.

The computer unit 20, before which the operator usually sits, may include a printing drum or other printing mechanism for recording all transactions on the master tape 29. Encoding mechanism may be included which encodes on bank checks according to ABA specifications. Because the documents, such as bank checks, are transported on their edges with the top edge of the document visible at all times, the operator is provided with easy access to the document at all times. The document receiver 26 on the top of the computing unit may serve to hold a stack of documents, and when the system is ready for processing, one of these documents may be removed by the operator from the stack and placed into the transport path 38 for conveyance thereby, or means may be provided for automatically withdrawing one document at a time from the stack and feeding it into and along the transport path 38.

The process of handling each document is illustrated schematically in FIG. where each document is successively removed from stack of documents -in the receiver 26 and introduced into the transport path 38 and fed to a position in back of the keyboard 24 where it is momentarily halted for the amount indexing and encoding. This transaction is recorded on the master tape 29 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 and represented by the block so identified in FIG. 15. While at this station the document is encoded and then transported along path 38 where it turns and merges with path 36 of the sorter unit 22,. While en route, and assuming it is a bank check, the document is endorsed as represented by the block so identified. The document will then be fed into the transport path 36 of the sorter unit and enter a pocket 32 thereof selected by the operator or by an automatic determination made by document sensing equipment associated with the computer unit. As each document is processed, its movement and destination as well as the transactions in which it is involved are governed from the Keyboard as schematically represented in FIG. 15.

While transactions involving each document and while it is being transported to its selected pocket, the

18 listing or printing device associated with the pocket to which the document is assigned is controlled to provide a printed list, designation and total of the activity for its respective distribution register and sorter-pocket. During printing of each line of characters on an individual tape, the carrier is moved at relatively high speeds to advance not only the hammer associated with the particular tape but all of the print hammers past their respective tapes. Usually, only one tape is printed at a time but one or more additional hammers may be controlled from the computer unit to make printing impressions on their respective tapes. The illustrated embodiment of the invention is capable of printing 45 characters per second during one advance of the carrier 140, thus performing one cycle per second. This means that for the 20-position print drum in the illustrated apparatus, a full line of characters can be printed on a selected tape within less than one-half second.

A protective feature of the invention is the provision for substantially reducing the wear on the armatures of the solenoids 106 resulting from the impact of the hammer actuators 104 thereon during printing operations. For this purpose a very thin sheet of transparent plastic material is interposed between the solenoid and the adjacent portion of each hammer actuator. A desirable manner of accomplishing this is to provide an elongated strip 352 of such plastic material and extend the same for the length of the carrier 140 and between all of the solenoids on legs of the frame 142 and their respective hammer actuators 104. The opposite end sections of this plastic strip are bent to extend to the other leg 144 of the end frames 142 in the manner shown in FIG. 9 and clipped thereto by channel-shaped clips 354.

The accompanying illustrations of an assemblage of elements constitutes one embodiment of the invention in which a carrier common to all of the print hammer assemblies bodily moves these instrumentalities in one direction as one or more of the hammers are activated to print characters on their respective tapes and then return the carrier to a home or start position. It need not matter in which direction of carrier movement the printing impressions are made on the tapes. That is to say, the printing may take place when the carrier is moved from left to right or from right to left. Moreover, the transfer ribbon may extend between the tapes and their respective hammers and print the characters on the hammer side of the tapes or between the tapes and their respective print drums and print the characters on the drum side of the tapes. In the first instance, the type characters on the drums would represent normal images and in the second instance they would appear on the drums as reversed or mirror images. Accordingly, the assemblage of elements illustrated herein is to be understood as being capable of being modified for operating in any such or similar ways without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention.

While a particular embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it will be understood, of course, that it is not desired that the invention be limited thereto since modifications may be made and it is therefore contemplated by the appended claims to cover any such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. Printing apparatus including, in combination;

a row of tape printers each including a continuously movable print member carrying type characters and a hammer assembly including a single impact hammer cooperable with the print member for forming a printing couple therewith,

means for mounting a plurality of tape supply rolls,

one for each tape printer, on a common axis extending parallel to the row of tape printers,

means providing a plurality of tape receiving bins, one for each tape printer, and disposing the same in a row extending parallel to the row of tape printers,

means for guiding and feeding tape from each tape supply roll through its respective printer to the latters tape receiving bin, the direction of the tape feed being at right angles to the row of tape printers,

a carrier guided for movement along a path of travel extending parallel to the row of tape printers,

means mounting the hammer assemblies of said row of tape printers on the carrier for joint movement therewith,

means carried by the carrier for individually actuating the impact hammers of said hammer assemblies in the direction to cooperate with their respective print members in the printing of characters on their respective tapes, and

means for bodily moving the carrier along said path of travel thereby to cause the impact hammers to move jointly therewith and crosswise to the feeding direction of their respective tapes as the hammers are actuated to make printing impressions thereon.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein means is provided on the carrier for providing individual adjustment of each hammer assembly relative to the carrier to vary the direction and stroke of its respective impact hammer.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means for bodily moving the common support includes a rotatable worm-type cam, an element carried by the carrier for detachably engaging the worm cam to receive driving impulses therefrom for moving the carrier but normally being disengaged therefrom, and means stationarily positioned alongside of the path of travel of the carrier and capable throughout the travel of the carrier of applying a force on said element causing the same to engage the worm cam.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein a power source is operable to unidirectionally rotate the worm cam and thus move the carrier in one direction parallel to the tape printers, and wherein a return mechanism exerts an approximately uniform counterforce upon the carrier throughout the travel thereof in said one direction and is operable to return the carrier to a starting position upon disengagement of the carrier from the worm cam.

5. Printing apparatus including, in combination;

a row of individual tape printers assembled compactly together and each including a print drum rotatable about a common axis and carrying type characters on the periphery thereof, each such I 20 tape printer further including a single impact hammer cooperating with its respective print drum for forminga printing couple therewith, means for mounting a row of tape supply rolls for rotation about a common axis parallel to the row of tape printers, means mounting a row of tape receiving bins parallel to the row of tape printers and in superposing relationship to the tape supply mounting means, means for guiding and feeding tape from each tape supply roll upwardly through an individual one of the tape printers to anindividual one of the tape receiving bins, a carrier serving as a common support for the hammers of said plurality of individual tape printers, means mounting the carrier for travel along a path extending parallel to the row .of tape printers, means for moving the carrier along its path of travel thereby to' cause the impact hammers to move in unison therewith and crosswise to the feeding direction of their respective tapes, and means mounted on the carrier for individually actuating said hammers in the direction for impacting their respective print drums during travel of the common support. 6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the means for bodily moving the carrier includes the following: a rotatable worm-type cam having a helical track coaxial with its axis of rotation, an element carried by the carrier for detachably engaging the track of the worm cam to receive driving impulses for moving the carrier but normally being disengaged therefrom, and a control member positioned alongside of the path of travel of the carrier and movable to a position which is effective to apply a force on said element throughoutthe travel of the carrier for causing the element to engage the track of the, worm cam.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein a roller mounted on the carrier has rolling contact with the control member when the same is in its effective position and acts as a force transmitting medium for causing engagement of the carrier element with the worm cam.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein a power source is operable to unidirectionally rotate the worm cam and thus move the carrier in one direction parallel to the tape printers, and wherein a carrier return mechanism exerts an approximately uniform resisting counterforce to the travel of the carrier in said one direction and is operable to return the carrier to a starting position upon disengagement of the carrier from the worm cam.

9. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein a housing is provided for the printing mechanism which substantially conceals it from view and wherein the printing mechanism is supported by telescoping rail members for bodily movement from the interior of the housing to an exposed external position where the tapes of the individual tape printers are made available.

10. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein means is provided on thecarrier for providing individual adjustment of each hammer assembly relative to the carrier to vary the direction and stroke of its respective impact hammer. 

1. Printing apparatus including, in combination; a row of tape printers each including a continuously movable print member carrying type characters and a hammer assembly including a single impact hammer cooperable with the print member for forming a printing couple therewith, means for mounting a plurality of tape supply rolls, one for each tape printer, on a common axis extending parallel to the row of tape printers, means providing a plurality of tape receiving bins, one for each tape printer, and disposing the same in a row extending parallel to the row of tape printers, means for guiding and feeding tape from each tape supply roll through its respective printer to the latter''s tape receiving bin, the direction of the tape feed being at right angles to the row of tape printers, a carrier guided for movement along a path of travel extending parallel to the row of tape printers, means mounting the hammer assemblies of said row of tape printers on the carrier for joint movement therewith, means carried by the carrier for individually actuating the impact hammers of said hammer assemblies in the direction to cooperate with their respectivE print members in the printing of characters on their respective tapes, and means for bodily moving the carrier along said path of travel thereby to cause the impact hammers to move jointly therewith and crosswise to the feeding direction of their respective tapes as the hammers are actuated to make printing impressions thereon.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein means is provided on the carrier for providing individual adjustment of each hammer assembly relative to the carrier to vary the direction and stroke of its respective impact hammer.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means for bodily moving the common support includes a rotatable worm-type cam, an element carried by the carrier for detachably engaging the worm cam to receive driving impulses therefrom for moving the carrier but normally being disengaged therefrom, and means stationarily positioned alongside of the path of travel of the carrier and capable throughout the travel of the carrier of applying a force on said element causing the same to engage the worm cam.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein a power source is operable to unidirectionally rotate the worm cam and thus move the carrier in one direction parallel to the tape printers, and wherein a return mechanism exerts an approximately uniform counterforce upon the carrier throughout the travel thereof in said one direction and is operable to return the carrier to a starting position upon disengagement of the carrier from the worm cam.
 5. Printing apparatus including, in combination; a row of individual tape printers assembled compactly together and each including a print drum rotatable about a common axis and carrying type characters on the periphery thereof, each such tape printer further including a single impact hammer cooperating with its respective print drum for forming a printing couple therewith, means for mounting a row of tape supply rolls for rotation about a common axis parallel to the row of tape printers, means mounting a row of tape receiving bins parallel to the row of tape printers and in superposing relationship to the tape supply mounting means, means for guiding and feeding tape from each tape supply roll upwardly through an individual one of the tape printers to an individual one of the tape receiving bins, a carrier serving as a common support for the hammers of said plurality of individual tape printers, means mounting the carrier for travel along a path extending parallel to the row of tape printers, means for moving the carrier along its path of travel thereby to cause the impact hammers to move in unison therewith and crosswise to the feeding direction of their respective tapes, and means mounted on the carrier for individually actuating said hammers in the direction for impacting their respective print drums during travel of the common support.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the means for bodily moving the carrier includes the following: a rotatable worm-type cam having a helical track coaxial with its axis of rotation, an element carried by the carrier for detachably engaging the track of the worm cam to receive driving impulses for moving the carrier but normally being disengaged therefrom, and a control member positioned alongside of the path of travel of the carrier and movable to a position which is effective to apply a force on said element throughout the travel of the carrier for causing the element to engage the track of the worm cam.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein a roller mounted on the carrier has rolling contact with the control member when the same is in its effective position and acts as a force transmitting medium for causing engagement of the carrier element with the worm cam.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein a power source is operable to unidirectionally rotate the worm cam and thus move the carrier in one direction parallel to the tape printers, and wherein a carrier return mechanism exerts an approximately uniform resisting cOunterforce to the travel of the carrier in said one direction and is operable to return the carrier to a starting position upon disengagement of the carrier from the worm cam.
 9. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein a housing is provided for the printing mechanism which substantially conceals it from view and wherein the printing mechanism is supported by telescoping rail members for bodily movement from the interior of the housing to an exposed external position where the tapes of the individual tape printers are made available.
 10. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein means is provided on the carrier for providing individual adjustment of each hammer assembly relative to the carrier to vary the direction and stroke of its respective impact hammer. 